OLD JAKE’S SURPRISE

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 4 May 1935, Page 10

OLD JAKE’S SURPRISE

GOBLIN WALKING STICK Desmond was great friends with old Jake the hedge-cutter. Jake often tidied up the hedges and cut the grass in Desmond’’-; lane, and used to show him the best way to cut hedges and mako them grow thick. But what Desmond admired most were Jake’s., walking-sticks. The old inajv would out a .straight ash, or hazel sapling and shape it, and then he would carve an old man’s face out of the knobbly head, or sometimes an animal;. He 'brought one that ho was making for Desmond to see; it had a. monkey's head beautifully carved on it. ' 4

“Isn’t it- lovely!” cried Desmond, lidding it enviously. “Do they cost a lot of money,

Jake?” lie asked, “Well,' the gentleman’s giving me five shillings for that,” said Jake, “Ooh, what a lot!” breathed Desmond. “Well, you see, Master Desmond, ittakes me a goodly time.” “If I had one.” said Desmond, “I should like a goblin, with pointed ears and a grimny mouth,” answered Desmond. “Like the faces on the church spouts, I. ’.spect,” said the old man. But Desmond was too busy telling him about his birthday an<l the lovely railway engine his daddy was going to give him to answer. On the morning of Desmond’s, birthday ho saw from the window that Jake was busy an front of the house. “I must go and show Jake my engine,” he cried. The old man admired the engine very much; then he turned to the bank where his basket was lying and picked up a .stick. “And that’s to wish you many, happy returns, Master Desmond, ’ ‘he said, putting a walking-stick into Desmond’s hands'. Desmond could hardly speak, so greatly was he surprised, for Jake had given him a real walking-stick just his size, and the kno-b W.fts carved into a. little head with sharp ears and a very grinny mouth! “Oh, Jake~ it’s a real goblin!” he cried with delight.